Windsong

Album: Windsong (1975)
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Songfacts®:

  • John Denver often wrote about nature, which he did on "Windsong," co-written with his friend Joe Henry. In a 1992 interview published in American Songwriter magazine, Denver told Deborah Evans Price: "We sat up one night and talked about the wind. Joe and I wanted to write a song about the wind and we talked and talked... The song was written out on a piece of paper on the kitchen table." >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments: 8

  • Windsong Vela from SomewhereMy mother named me after this song and this album
  • Shannon P. from Riverside, CaliforniaThis album, Windsong, means so much to me. I first heard it in 1983, when I borrowed it from the library. I was going through a tough time, what I now know was undiagnosed Major Depressive Disorder. The were days and nights where I just lay on my bed in my room, playing the cassette non-stop, for about 2 weeks I did this, and when it was time to return the tape, as a young teenager, I told my mom I "lost it", so that I could keep it, but then felt guilty, and returned it the next week. I told the librarian I just hated to part with it, and apologized. I was surprised when I went back a couple weeks later to get new books, and was handed a copy of the tape! I still love to listen to it, and it still gives me good feelings, especially the title song, and " Fly Away". John Denver touched so many hearts with his music, and I love that even all these years later, I can play the album on Spotify!
  • Kayley from ColroadoAlways, from the very first time I heard it, a favorite for all it's love of nature and the voices of the wind in their kaleidoscope of beauty.
  • Windsong from CanadaMy mother actually named me Windsong after this song.
  • 30carat from BrisbaneOne of my favourite Denver anthems, showcasing amazing vocal range and a songwriting maturity not evident in his earlier work. A stirring tribute to creation and man's potential.
  • Ken from Cheyenne, WyomingRob and Mike: Both of you are off the mark with your answers. I'ts important to know that Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr. grew up in a Christian home. His father served as an ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church, which indicates he took his Reformed faith very seriously and personally. Yet at the same time, Reformed faith is one that can find God speaking in all sorts of things, secular and well as religious. I think that is the foundation of John's awareness and love of creation.
    John was acutely aware of the spiritual aspects of all life. His first Christmas album (which I consider his best Christmas album) and the hymns that fill the second side -- including the song A Baby Just Like You -- show his respect (if not his personal faith) he has for the Christmas story and its true message of hope, peace and God's eternal presence within God's creation.
    Keep in mind that Windsong was actually penned by Joe Henry, a very spiritual yet rather private cowboy John considered one of his most important friends. The conversation took place between John and Joe one evening, but Joe wrote the lyrics.
    Joe, by the way, is one of two "Joes" John deeply valued. Joe Frazier, a fellow member of the Chad Mitchell Trio with John who, after the trio broke up, became a Catholic priest (having died in 2014) is memorialized by John in the song Joseph and Joe as someone with significant influence in John's life. "Did not like those who worship" the God of the Bible? The he didn't love his father or his musical friend the priest!
    He appreciated God's creation and saw himself intimately part of creation, meaning he was intimately connected to the Creator God, whether or not he put it down in so many words.
    Not every person experiences God the same way, but God enjoys all his creation in its manifold differences and distinctiveness. Yes, at one time John used ancient Greek and Roman gods to describe himself (see the song Spirit). But don't let that fool yourself into thinking John didn't know the true God.
  • Rob from Seattle, WaActually Mike, he appreciated nature, WHEREVER it comes from.
  • Mike from Carmel, NyThis man appreciated Jehovahs Creation, but did not like those who worship him.
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